Oyster-tongs



(Hommel.)

G. C. BROWN. Oyster Tongs.

No. zieo. Pair-5Med Feb. 1,1881.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE C. BROWN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

OYSTER-TONGS.

SPECIFICATIONYformng part of Letters Patent No. 237,160, dated February 1, 1881.

Application iled August 4, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern Beit known that I, GEORGE C. BROWN, of

.i Brooklyn, countyof Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oyster-Tongs, of which the following' is a full, clear, and exact description, :reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention has particular relation to that class of devices used for dredging oysters, and ordinarily denominated oyster-tongs,7 although, as will be apparent from the following description, the several features of improvement are applicable to tongs or grapples employed for other special purposes, or to any form of implement wherein their distinct features of utility may be advantageously employed.

Heretofore and previous to my invention the heads of oyster-tongs have been commonly constructed by welding the teeth or prongs upon a solid bar, which method of construction necessitated the frequent heating ot' the bar or head, resultingin the destruction of the strength and lasting qualities of the iron, and requiring a heavier bar than would seem to be necessary to withstand all the strains to which the tongs are exposed when in ordinary use, and, further, requiring the services of an experienced smith to make any repairs thereto; also, in previous forms of these devices the hinge or coupling for the two poles has been of such a character as to allow the poles to twist too much beneath the joint or hinge, by reason of which, when oysters or other objects become wedged between the teeth or prongs near one extremity of the tongs, the other extremity remains open and prevents the grappling and securing of a full load.

To obviate these several defects, and to pro duce a light, cheap, durable, vand efficient implement, which may be quickly and easily repaired by any ordinary workman, and in which, in the event of the loss of any one of the parts, it may be readily replaced, are among the prominent features of my invention.

.To accomplish all of this my improvement involves certain novel and useful combinations or arrangements of parts and peculiarities of construction, all of which will be hereinafter first fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure lis a sectional view through the axis of the connecting-bolt or hinge, showing the polesin place, the tongheads being detached from the poles, and indicating the most approved form of hingejoint. poles are shown as hinged together without the use ot' the short thimbles indicated in Fig. 1 5 and Fig. 3 is an elevation, showing one of the thimbleplates, with the locking-nut in position upon the pole. Fig. et is a perspective view, illustrating one of my improved tongheads as attached at the end of its pole; and Figs. 5 and 6 are-sections at right angles to the head, showing the manner of connecting the teeth or prongs together.

Like letters of reference wherever they occur indicate corresponding parts in all the f1 g;

ures.

A A are the two operating-poles, usually made of wood, being coupled at a suitable distance above the ton g-heads, which are secured at their lower extremities. To couple these poles so that the tongs may be opened and Fig. 2 is a similar view, in which the closed easily and without danger of twisting out of position, I employ the bolt B, having an elongated flat head, (l, pinned, screwed, or otherwise secured upon one of the poles, the bolt being made to pass through a thimble or sleeve, D, having a corresponding head, which is secured upon the other face of the opposite pole, and being held against accidental displacement or disarrangement by the nut E with any kind of lookin g contrivance--as, for instance, the set-nut e. To prevent wear upon the interior of the poles, a washer, a, may be employed. The hinge or coupling, being so made, is easily applied, easily disconnected, and it maintains the p oles in their proper working positions. The poles are exposed to wet and dry situations alternately, and are liable to check and split and to other damage in the region of the joint or hinge, al1 of which I obviate to a considerable extent by use of the metallic thimbles, as shown in the drawings. These thimbles may be made of any parts beinginterchangeable, after the manner ot elements of any machine made to pattern.

The bolt B, in order to be most durable, is preferably made ot' cast-steel; but a wrought or cast iron bolt may be made to answer the purpose. Wooden pins have heretofore been used in this situation.

The cross-head F is made of metallic tubing ot convenient size or diameter, and the prongs or teeth Gr are secured in this by use of a shank, g, upon each, which passes through perforations made in the tubing, and secured in place by riveting or battering, as at It, or by a nut, t', with any suitable set-nut or meansot preventingaccidental turning. If the riveting or battering be employed, the tooth when damaged may be displaced by use otasimple punch, and a new one inserted and riveted while cold; or, in case the nut is employed,it may be readily unscrewed bymeans of a wrench and a new tooth quicklyinsertedinitsplace. Thusitwillbeseen that the teeth may be replaced without the old process ot' welding and by use of only ordinary tools. The tubular cross-head is light and durable, and is at the same time in the best form to resist all strains to which it 'is likely to be exposed, considering the weight' of metal employed. Its lightness makes the whole device easier to handle and use, and the facility with which the teeth may be inserted will especially recommend it for use in place of those forms whereon they teeth are necessarily welded, requiring skilled labor to accomplish any repairs. The body of each tooth at the junction of the shank is made to conform to the contour of the circular cross-head, and when brought sn ugly into place, by riveting or by tightening the nut, the tooth is held rmly against any lateral displacement.

The teeth may be cast, sheared, or otherwise cut from suitable metal, and if they are furnished without screw-threading the shanks, the upper perforations in the cross-head should be counters'unk, as plainly shown, the better to accommodate the battered head. The teeth are preferably made of cast-steel.

The cross-heads are secured to the poles by use of straps H, passing around the middle and bolted to the poles, and the ends of the tubes are plugged by any suitable means, to exclude water and dirt.

It is customary to provide a basket or network about the tongs to retain the things grappled, and for this I provide any desirable number of wires lm a, the upper one, l, passing through perforations in the cross-head, near each extremity thereof', and under the strap H, by which it is heldin place. The others are secured at the ends upon the tirst wire in any desirable manner, and they likewise pass under the strap H.

Ot' course any number of teeth may be employed, (usually about sixteen is all that is required,) and they may be of any desired size corresponding to the character of the 'work they are required to perform.

When constructed and arranged substantially in accordance with the foregoing explanations, the improved tongs are found to .admirably answer the several purposes and objects of the invention, as previously stated.'

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The herein-described hinge-joint for the wooden cross-poles ot' oyster-tongs, composed of a solid metallic bolt anda metallic thimble passing through both poles, said bolt and thimble having elongated heads secured in position upon the poles, substantially as shown and described.

2. The herein-described oyster-tongs, composed ot' the wooden cross poles hinged together by a bolt and metallic thimbles, as set forth, the metallic tubular cross-heads having the metallic teeth inserted therein, as shown, the basket-wires secured at their ends in the cross-heads, and the hat straps bolted to the ends ot' the poles and holding the cross-,headsv and basket-wires in place, all as shown and set fort-h.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE .(5. BROWN. Witnesses:

GHAs. H. BROWN, V. P. UHIQUOINE. 

